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Starlight Cottages #1
The Lost Girls of Ireland
A heart-warming story about family secrets and one woman’s escape to dreamy Sandy Cove on the stunning west coast of Ireland.
The picturesque beach of Wild Rose Bay is the last place Lydia Butler thought she’d be. But having just lost everything, the run-down cottage she inherited from her Great Aunt Nellie is the only place she can take her daughter, Sunny. Hidden away in a tiny Irish village, she can protect Sunny from the gossip in Dublin, and the real reason they have nowhere else to live…
The cottage is part of the old coastguard station and other eccentric residents are quick to introduce themselves when Lydia arrives. Lydia instantly feels less alone, fascinated by the stories they have about Nellie, and she’s charmed by American artist, Jason O’Callaghan, the mysterious man who lives next door.
But the longer Lydia relaxes under the moonlit sky, the more the secret she’s keeping from Sunny threatens to come out. And as she finds herself running into Jason’s arms, she knows she must be honest and face up to the past she has tried to forget. Has she finally found people who will truly accept her, or will the truth force her to leave the cottage for good?
Will transport you to Ireland to relax on the shore and stare at the perfect emerald waters. The Lost Girls of Ireland is perfect for readers of Debbie Macomber, Sheila O’Flanagan and Mary Alice Monroe.
Previously titled The Irish Rose.
The picturesque beach of Wild Rose Bay is the last place Lydia Butler thought she’d be. But having just lost everything, the run-down cottage she inherited from her Great Aunt Nellie is the only place she can take her daughter, Sunny. Hidden away in a tiny Irish village, she can protect Sunny from the gossip in Dublin, and the real reason they have nowhere else to live…
The cottage is part of the old coastguard station and other eccentric residents are quick to introduce themselves when Lydia arrives. Lydia instantly feels less alone, fascinated by the stories they have about Nellie, and she’s charmed by American artist, Jason O’Callaghan, the mysterious man who lives next door.
But the longer Lydia relaxes under the moonlit sky, the more the secret she’s keeping from Sunny threatens to come out. And as she finds herself running into Jason’s arms, she knows she must be honest and face up to the past she has tried to forget. Has she finally found people who will truly accept her, or will the truth force her to leave the cottage for good?
Will transport you to Ireland to relax on the shore and stare at the perfect emerald waters. The Lost Girls of Ireland is perfect for readers of Debbie Macomber, Sheila O’Flanagan and Mary Alice Monroe.
Previously titled The Irish Rose.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2021
6948 people are currently reading
3167 people want to read
About the author
Susanne O'Leary
56 books375 followersSusanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, mainly romantic fiction set in Ireland. Her many books set in County Kerry have been hugely popular with readers all over the world. She shares her time between Dublin and Kerry, where she and her husband have a little cottage near the beach. The wild, beautiful landscape, the small villages and the friendly people of that county have inspired her to write her feel-good stories. She's been inspired to represent people of all ages and walks of life, with lots of romance, and more than a dash of humour.
When she is not writing or reading by the fire, Susanne loves heading for the great outdoors, walking on the beaches or scaling the green hills of her favourite county.
When she is not writing or reading by the fire, Susanne loves heading for the great outdoors, walking on the beaches or scaling the green hills of her favourite county.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 557 reviews
May 10, 2021
EXCERPT: 'Nellie Butler . . . Your great-aunt, was she?'
'That's right. On my father's side. I only met her once.'
'Interesting woman,' Sorcha said. 'Talk about rough times. She had them in spades. During the war, I mean. But she was a bit of a heroine, too, I believe.'
'Really?' Lydia looked at Sorcha, wanting to know more. 'In what way?'
'I don't really know. I can just tell you what I've heard. There was an old man in the village who knew everything about everybody, but he passed away last winter. Mad Brennan he was called. Not mad at all. Very sharp, actually. He told me once that your Aunt Nellie was a spy, but I think he was joking.'
Lydia laughed. 'A spy?'
'I know,' Sorcha said. 'That's impossible. What kind of spying could she have done around here? He was pulling my leg as usual. He loved having people on.'
ABOUT 'THE LOST GIRLS OF IRELAND': The picturesque beach of Wild Rose Bay is the last place Lydia Butler thought she’d be. But having just lost everything, the run-down cottage she inherited from her Great Aunt Nellie is the only place she can take her daughter, Sunny. Hidden away in a tiny Irish village, she can protect Sunny from the gossip in Dublin, and the real reason they have nowhere else to live…
The cottage is part of the old coastguard station and other eccentric residents are quick to introduce themselves when Lydia arrives. Lydia instantly feels less alone, fascinated by the stories they have about Nellie, and she’s charmed by American artist, Jason O’Callaghan, the mysterious man who lives next door.
But the longer Lydia relaxes under the moonlit sky, the more the secret she’s keeping from Sunny threatens to come out. And as she finds herself running into Jason’s arms, she knows she must be honest and face up to the past she has tried to forget. Has she finally found people who will truly accept her, or will the truth force her to leave the cottage for good?
MY THOUGHTS: This is a fairly predictable romance that missed the opportunity to capitalize on a family mystery and move the whole book up a level. Why speculate about Great Aunt Nellie if you're not going to follow it through? She was by far the most interesting character, the one with the most potential, and there was definitely the opportunity to run her story concurrently with Lydia's.
I really failed to connect with any of the characters and the plot was very thin, lacking in substance. I also didn't get the relevance of the title.
If you are looking for a (very) light romance, The Lost Girls of Ireland will fit the bill admirably. Personally, I prefer a little more depth.
⭐⭐.5
#TheLostGirlsofIreland #NetGalley
I: @susanne.olearyauthor @bookouture
T: @susl @bookouture
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #irishfiction #romance #womensfiction
THE AUTHOR: Susanne O'Leary is the bestselling author of 22 novels, mainly in the romantic fiction genre. She has also written three crime novels and two in the historical fiction genre. She has been the wife of a diplomat (still is), a fitness teacher and a translator. She now writes full-time from either of two locations, a ramshackle house in County Tipperary, Ireland or a little cottage overlooking the Atlantic in Dingle, County Kerry. When she is not scaling the mountains of said counties (including MacGillycuddy's Reeks, featured in Full Irish), or keeping fit in the local gym, she keeps writing, producing a book every six months.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Lost Girls of Ireland by Susanne O'Leary for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'That's right. On my father's side. I only met her once.'
'Interesting woman,' Sorcha said. 'Talk about rough times. She had them in spades. During the war, I mean. But she was a bit of a heroine, too, I believe.'
'Really?' Lydia looked at Sorcha, wanting to know more. 'In what way?'
'I don't really know. I can just tell you what I've heard. There was an old man in the village who knew everything about everybody, but he passed away last winter. Mad Brennan he was called. Not mad at all. Very sharp, actually. He told me once that your Aunt Nellie was a spy, but I think he was joking.'
Lydia laughed. 'A spy?'
'I know,' Sorcha said. 'That's impossible. What kind of spying could she have done around here? He was pulling my leg as usual. He loved having people on.'
ABOUT 'THE LOST GIRLS OF IRELAND': The picturesque beach of Wild Rose Bay is the last place Lydia Butler thought she’d be. But having just lost everything, the run-down cottage she inherited from her Great Aunt Nellie is the only place she can take her daughter, Sunny. Hidden away in a tiny Irish village, she can protect Sunny from the gossip in Dublin, and the real reason they have nowhere else to live…
The cottage is part of the old coastguard station and other eccentric residents are quick to introduce themselves when Lydia arrives. Lydia instantly feels less alone, fascinated by the stories they have about Nellie, and she’s charmed by American artist, Jason O’Callaghan, the mysterious man who lives next door.
But the longer Lydia relaxes under the moonlit sky, the more the secret she’s keeping from Sunny threatens to come out. And as she finds herself running into Jason’s arms, she knows she must be honest and face up to the past she has tried to forget. Has she finally found people who will truly accept her, or will the truth force her to leave the cottage for good?
MY THOUGHTS: This is a fairly predictable romance that missed the opportunity to capitalize on a family mystery and move the whole book up a level. Why speculate about Great Aunt Nellie if you're not going to follow it through? She was by far the most interesting character, the one with the most potential, and there was definitely the opportunity to run her story concurrently with Lydia's.
I really failed to connect with any of the characters and the plot was very thin, lacking in substance. I also didn't get the relevance of the title.
If you are looking for a (very) light romance, The Lost Girls of Ireland will fit the bill admirably. Personally, I prefer a little more depth.
⭐⭐.5
#TheLostGirlsofIreland #NetGalley
I: @susanne.olearyauthor @bookouture
T: @susl @bookouture
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #irishfiction #romance #womensfiction
THE AUTHOR: Susanne O'Leary is the bestselling author of 22 novels, mainly in the romantic fiction genre. She has also written three crime novels and two in the historical fiction genre. She has been the wife of a diplomat (still is), a fitness teacher and a translator. She now writes full-time from either of two locations, a ramshackle house in County Tipperary, Ireland or a little cottage overlooking the Atlantic in Dingle, County Kerry. When she is not scaling the mountains of said counties (including MacGillycuddy's Reeks, featured in Full Irish), or keeping fit in the local gym, she keeps writing, producing a book every six months.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Lost Girls of Ireland by Susanne O'Leary for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 30, 2021
The Lost Girls of Ireland by Susanne O’Leary is the first book in the contemporary romance Starlight Cottages series. While this is the first book of a new series it also is a spin off to the contemporary romance Sandy Cove series with the Starlight Cottages being near Sandy Cove.
Of course both of these contemporary romance series have the location of the series being what tie the books together which each new book having new main characters so they all can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. However there are glimpses of previous characters for anyone following the entire series from the beginning.
Lydia Butler has just found out that her husband had been involved in some shady dealings before he passed away leaving her and her daughter with practically nothing. Lydia did still own a run down cottage left to her by a distant relative so she packs up their things and she and her daughter head to Wild Rose Bay. Fortunately for Lydia she finds some wonderful neighbors and townsfolk including Jason O’Callaghan who is now her new neighbor.
I have been reading Susanne O’Leary’s books for quite a while now and have read the entire Sandy Cove series and really enjoyed it. The quaint setting on the beautiful coast of Ireland kept calling me back time and time again to meet all the lovely characters involved so I knew I would also enjoy this spin off series and thankfully i did. Watching these characters come together was a wonderful beginning to the new series and I’ll certainly be back for more.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Of course both of these contemporary romance series have the location of the series being what tie the books together which each new book having new main characters so they all can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. However there are glimpses of previous characters for anyone following the entire series from the beginning.
Lydia Butler has just found out that her husband had been involved in some shady dealings before he passed away leaving her and her daughter with practically nothing. Lydia did still own a run down cottage left to her by a distant relative so she packs up their things and she and her daughter head to Wild Rose Bay. Fortunately for Lydia she finds some wonderful neighbors and townsfolk including Jason O’Callaghan who is now her new neighbor.
I have been reading Susanne O’Leary’s books for quite a while now and have read the entire Sandy Cove series and really enjoyed it. The quaint setting on the beautiful coast of Ireland kept calling me back time and time again to meet all the lovely characters involved so I knew I would also enjoy this spin off series and thankfully i did. Watching these characters come together was a wonderful beginning to the new series and I’ll certainly be back for more.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
May 24, 2023
4.5/5 star glittery star rating from me ✨✨✨✨
I truly loved this beautiful and heartwarming tale!! I'm not sure if it's the story itself or that it came at the right time in my life when I'm going through the grieving process of the loss of my brother or because my Dad came to America from County Clair, Ireland and spoke of the beauty of the Island. Maybe the fact that I love stories about Ireland. Not sure, but I am extremely sure that I won't over analyze it!!
I really enjoyed reading about Lydia and her well adjusted teenage daughter, Sunnys plight of having to move from Dublin to Starlight Cottage, a cottage in Ireland that she inherited from her Great Aunt Nellie. They had many struggles to overcome including meeting Jason, their mysterious neighbor. They had to start all over with their lives and meet new people, getting a new job and adjusting to a new school. They also had a mystery to solve regarding Lydia's Great Aunt Nellie and her time in WW2.
This story really touched my heart. It's an easy, uplifting story of love,loss and letting go in order to move on. It can be read as a stand alone. It's brilliantly written and draws you in to the beauty of Ireland 💚
I very highly recommend this emotionally moving book to everyone!! Enjoy and Happy Reading!!!! 😃📖🇮🇪🍀
I truly loved this beautiful and heartwarming tale!! I'm not sure if it's the story itself or that it came at the right time in my life when I'm going through the grieving process of the loss of my brother or because my Dad came to America from County Clair, Ireland and spoke of the beauty of the Island. Maybe the fact that I love stories about Ireland. Not sure, but I am extremely sure that I won't over analyze it!!
I really enjoyed reading about Lydia and her well adjusted teenage daughter, Sunnys plight of having to move from Dublin to Starlight Cottage, a cottage in Ireland that she inherited from her Great Aunt Nellie. They had many struggles to overcome including meeting Jason, their mysterious neighbor. They had to start all over with their lives and meet new people, getting a new job and adjusting to a new school. They also had a mystery to solve regarding Lydia's Great Aunt Nellie and her time in WW2.
This story really touched my heart. It's an easy, uplifting story of love,loss and letting go in order to move on. It can be read as a stand alone. It's brilliantly written and draws you in to the beauty of Ireland 💚
I very highly recommend this emotionally moving book to everyone!! Enjoy and Happy Reading!!!! 😃📖🇮🇪🍀
July 3, 2022
Not my usual reading matter, I very rarely read contemporary fiction but what drew me to this was the setting, South West of Ireland and the little seaside cottage. I live in the South East and I love reading books that have places I know in them.
It's a light, easy read. There are no great surprises in it. The blurb talks about Lydia searching out her Great Aunt's secrets but to be honest there isn't much of that in it and it wasn't so much a secret as just something that happened in the past.
What I did like was that the teenage daughter, Sunny, was a normal, well adjusted girl and not this angst ridden, rude, inconsiderate teen that all authors seem to think is necessary today when writing kids into stories. This was a breath of fresh air for me.
It's all about relationships and getting hurt and getting on with life afterwards. It's a story a lot of people can empathise with.
A lovely, light, easy read. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon.
It's a light, easy read. There are no great surprises in it. The blurb talks about Lydia searching out her Great Aunt's secrets but to be honest there isn't much of that in it and it wasn't so much a secret as just something that happened in the past.
What I did like was that the teenage daughter, Sunny, was a normal, well adjusted girl and not this angst ridden, rude, inconsiderate teen that all authors seem to think is necessary today when writing kids into stories. This was a breath of fresh air for me.
It's all about relationships and getting hurt and getting on with life afterwards. It's a story a lot of people can empathise with.
A lovely, light, easy read. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon.
July 4, 2022
Suzanne O’Leary’s “The Lost Girls of Ireland” is a heartwarming tale of a woman who had to lose everything and come to a cold little cottage in a small village on the west coast of Ireland to find out what mattered most in life.
Lydia Harrington, voted Ireland’s best dressed woman, was sipping cream tea in Dublin’s classiest hotel, The Shelbourne, with her 14-year-old daughter, Sunniva, when it happened. The dreaded phone call about the death of her husband wasn’t the only shocker – Brad had emptied their bank accounts, racked up debt and left her penniless.
When her lawyer reminded Lydia about the cottage her great-aunt Nellie had left her 10 years ago, Lydia suddenly had an idea. Sneaking out the backdoor before sunrise, they headed to the Starlight Cottages in Kerry. The cottages were a row of four houses on top of a headland; three were occupied by artists and hers, the last one, had been vacated by the renters. This is their story about starting over in a place where nobody would find them and nobody knew who they were.
A beautiful clean romance and wonderfully uplifting tale of second chances and starting over. I giggled about the directions she was given by the vet. Born in Ireland, I know only too well the type of directions given by locals! I loved the firewood delivery and wished I’d read about more things that would have made the story uniquely Irish; soda farls, wheaten bread, Irish beer and fiddle players in the pub, narrow lanes, gorse, tea by the fire, or even Irish expressions. Other than the title and the fact that the character mentions going to Kerry, this could have been set anywhere. I was also craving more on the back story regarding the German pilot or the artistic endeavors of her grandmother. Regardless, I think you’ll come to the same conclusion: we need more places like Sandy Cove where people are not judged by what they have, but rather by who they are and how they treat others.
This can be read as a stand-alone.
Thank you to #susanneoleary #bookouture and #netgalley for the gifted advance copy. I was under no obligation to leave a review.
Lydia Harrington, voted Ireland’s best dressed woman, was sipping cream tea in Dublin’s classiest hotel, The Shelbourne, with her 14-year-old daughter, Sunniva, when it happened. The dreaded phone call about the death of her husband wasn’t the only shocker – Brad had emptied their bank accounts, racked up debt and left her penniless.
When her lawyer reminded Lydia about the cottage her great-aunt Nellie had left her 10 years ago, Lydia suddenly had an idea. Sneaking out the backdoor before sunrise, they headed to the Starlight Cottages in Kerry. The cottages were a row of four houses on top of a headland; three were occupied by artists and hers, the last one, had been vacated by the renters. This is their story about starting over in a place where nobody would find them and nobody knew who they were.
A beautiful clean romance and wonderfully uplifting tale of second chances and starting over. I giggled about the directions she was given by the vet. Born in Ireland, I know only too well the type of directions given by locals! I loved the firewood delivery and wished I’d read about more things that would have made the story uniquely Irish; soda farls, wheaten bread, Irish beer and fiddle players in the pub, narrow lanes, gorse, tea by the fire, or even Irish expressions. Other than the title and the fact that the character mentions going to Kerry, this could have been set anywhere. I was also craving more on the back story regarding the German pilot or the artistic endeavors of her grandmother. Regardless, I think you’ll come to the same conclusion: we need more places like Sandy Cove where people are not judged by what they have, but rather by who they are and how they treat others.
This can be read as a stand-alone.
Thank you to #susanneoleary #bookouture and #netgalley for the gifted advance copy. I was under no obligation to leave a review.
June 8, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
In the last year, I have really learnt to enjoy books about Ireland as they help me to cherish, and remind me how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful wild and diverse country.
This mother-daughter story is absolutely heartwarming and pulls your attention from the first page. I don’t know whether it’s because I live in Ireland and have been to many of the places talked about throughout the book or if it’s just a genuinely descriptive read but I throughly enjoyed not only the familiarity of the places but also getting to know the characters.
From living the high life in Dublin to scraping by in a small Irish village, Lydia and her charming 14 year old daughter Sunny, show resilience getting through what is a very challenging situation.
This read is a well balanced mixture of descriptions of the wild yet beautiful country of Ireland, the kindness of strangers and battling through life’s hardship’s. O’Leary concludes very nicely with Lydia, finding home, love and freedom. Overall, it is a lovely life affirming read.
Thanks to Kellie for introducing me to this book. I never would have found it for free on kindle without her.
In the last year, I have really learnt to enjoy books about Ireland as they help me to cherish, and remind me how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful wild and diverse country.
This mother-daughter story is absolutely heartwarming and pulls your attention from the first page. I don’t know whether it’s because I live in Ireland and have been to many of the places talked about throughout the book or if it’s just a genuinely descriptive read but I throughly enjoyed not only the familiarity of the places but also getting to know the characters.
From living the high life in Dublin to scraping by in a small Irish village, Lydia and her charming 14 year old daughter Sunny, show resilience getting through what is a very challenging situation.
This read is a well balanced mixture of descriptions of the wild yet beautiful country of Ireland, the kindness of strangers and battling through life’s hardship’s. O’Leary concludes very nicely with Lydia, finding home, love and freedom. Overall, it is a lovely life affirming read.
Thanks to Kellie for introducing me to this book. I never would have found it for free on kindle without her.
January 13, 2025
I really enjoyed the light escapism this novel provided, but as ever I’m left mourning the fact that I’ve never inherited a remote cottage anywhere. I mean, a woman has dreams. Luckily for Lydia after the death of her husband, which forces a complete downscale of everything she remembers she has the cottage! Imagine inheriting a remote cottage and forgetting?! Anyway, the death of Lydia’s husband forces the sale of everything but the cottage, and she and her daughter Sunny (a dream child) relocate and find themselves immersed in small town life.
Really cute, really uplifting.
The accents were a bit dodgy at times, but overall the narration was nice.
Currently included with audible 🎧
Really cute, really uplifting.
The accents were a bit dodgy at times, but overall the narration was nice.
Currently included with audible 🎧
July 21, 2021
From a grand home in Dublin to a cottage in the small village of Kerry. In this touching read by Susanne O'Leary, Lydia Harrington and her daughter Sunny experience a humbling experience when Lydia's husband suddenly passes away. Their home, expensive cars, clothing and more are now a thing of the past due to her husband's unscrupulous business practices that left them all but penniless.
Lydia is not left completely in the lurch as she had an inheritance from her great aunt Nellie that would at least provide them a home, although they would have to move away from everything they've known. For starters, Sunny would have to start in a new school. If only that would be the only extent of the many changes they would have to make. Lydia and Sunny being to settle into their new lives. The move was only the first change. Going back to her maiden name of Butler and working for the first time in twenty years clearly showcases Lydia's strength and resilience.
Both Lydia and Sunny adapt to the changes in their lives with great aplomb. Meeting new neighbor Jason O'Callaghan is one thing that begins to give Lydia a sense of belonging. While inexplicably drawn to Jason, Lydia is concerned that it is too soon to start over when it comes to any hint of romance. Also, while Lydia and Sunny fall into their new lives they take on an interesting project. Who was Lydia's great aunt and why do the village's members speak so highly of her? The research they begin proves to be a very nice distraction for Lydia and Sunny.
Oh how I have loved this Sandy Cove series! Meeting all the characters in the charming village has left me with a warm feeling of contentment. The Lost Girls of Ireland was a wonderful read. With endearing characters, a beautiful setting and a bit of romance, this book truly touched my heart. Impossible to put down, this moving story kept me tapping the screen of my Kindle deep into the night until I reached the heartwarming conclusion. From despair to hope, this fulfilling story of starting over was a stellar read, one that will be with me for a long while.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Lydia is not left completely in the lurch as she had an inheritance from her great aunt Nellie that would at least provide them a home, although they would have to move away from everything they've known. For starters, Sunny would have to start in a new school. If only that would be the only extent of the many changes they would have to make. Lydia and Sunny being to settle into their new lives. The move was only the first change. Going back to her maiden name of Butler and working for the first time in twenty years clearly showcases Lydia's strength and resilience.
Both Lydia and Sunny adapt to the changes in their lives with great aplomb. Meeting new neighbor Jason O'Callaghan is one thing that begins to give Lydia a sense of belonging. While inexplicably drawn to Jason, Lydia is concerned that it is too soon to start over when it comes to any hint of romance. Also, while Lydia and Sunny fall into their new lives they take on an interesting project. Who was Lydia's great aunt and why do the village's members speak so highly of her? The research they begin proves to be a very nice distraction for Lydia and Sunny.
Oh how I have loved this Sandy Cove series! Meeting all the characters in the charming village has left me with a warm feeling of contentment. The Lost Girls of Ireland was a wonderful read. With endearing characters, a beautiful setting and a bit of romance, this book truly touched my heart. Impossible to put down, this moving story kept me tapping the screen of my Kindle deep into the night until I reached the heartwarming conclusion. From despair to hope, this fulfilling story of starting over was a stellar read, one that will be with me for a long while.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
April 11, 2024
Maybe this review is a spoiler. Maybe others are more educated than me about this author and why you picked it up. I thought, by how it began that it was going to be full of suspense and murder or intrigue of some sort. I kept waiting and waiting and got myself pretty sure I saw all the turns coming and then, 90% in I realized it was just a fluffy book about a fluffy woman and her fluffy life.
If I had read it instead of listened I would quote some riveting parts such as “She munched her sandwich as she looked out on the beautiful cove of loveliness.”
Or this exciting one, “She picked up her daughter’s beach towel and her friends, doing her motherly kind thing for the moment, with a glistening heart of love.”
Not my kind of book.
If I had read it instead of listened I would quote some riveting parts such as “She munched her sandwich as she looked out on the beautiful cove of loveliness.”
Or this exciting one, “She picked up her daughter’s beach towel and her friends, doing her motherly kind thing for the moment, with a glistening heart of love.”
Not my kind of book.
April 5, 2021
I kindly received an eARC advance copy of this book to read and review though NetGalley.
This story starts in Dublin where Lydia finds out the her late husband Barry has left her in dire straits. He was involved in fraud and money laundering and had a heart attack on the way to the airport. Luckily Lydia’s solicitor reminds her of her great aunt’s cottage by the coast that has been let since her death and suggests that Lydia and her teenage daughter Sunny go stay there once they have packed up the family home.
Some parts of this story are such a stretch of the imagination - she doesn’t remember the house herself? Very little emotion around the loss of a spouse and father? And then conveniently there is a handsome tall and dark neighbour Jason next door who just happens to chat through the fence to Lydia and falls in love with her on this basis.
After being voted the best-dressed in Ireland the year before, Lydia now works two hours a day as a cleaner and finds a job washing hair in a salon. Shew. This feels a little like a few books I have read previously but it’s the slightly more washed out, insipid version.
The history part where Lydia and Sunny find out about the Great Aunt are cool and the other characters in town are nice too, if not too fleshed out. 📚📖 📚
This story starts in Dublin where Lydia finds out the her late husband Barry has left her in dire straits. He was involved in fraud and money laundering and had a heart attack on the way to the airport. Luckily Lydia’s solicitor reminds her of her great aunt’s cottage by the coast that has been let since her death and suggests that Lydia and her teenage daughter Sunny go stay there once they have packed up the family home.
Some parts of this story are such a stretch of the imagination - she doesn’t remember the house herself? Very little emotion around the loss of a spouse and father? And then conveniently there is a handsome tall and dark neighbour Jason next door who just happens to chat through the fence to Lydia and falls in love with her on this basis.
After being voted the best-dressed in Ireland the year before, Lydia now works two hours a day as a cleaner and finds a job washing hair in a salon. Shew. This feels a little like a few books I have read previously but it’s the slightly more washed out, insipid version.
The history part where Lydia and Sunny find out about the Great Aunt are cool and the other characters in town are nice too, if not too fleshed out. 📚📖 📚
April 24, 2022
Lydia Butler recently lost her husband and is dealing with grief and adjusting to life with just her and her daughter, Sunny. Meeting with her attorney, she found out that he had been involved in some shady dealings before he passed away, in fact, he was a the airport fleeing the country when he suffered his heart attack. Lydia and Sunny have been left with nothing, even their home will be sold. Luckily for them, Lydia owns a cottage left to her by her great aunt Nellie, that had been rented as a holiday home over the years, and all proceeds were in an account. They pack up their meagre belongings, and she and Sunny head to Wild Rose Bay to Starlight Cottages. Lydia and Sunny begin to settle into their new lives, with Lydia going back to her maiden name and working for the first time in over 20 years. Fortunately for Lydia she finds some wonderful neighbors and townsfolk. As they learn how much everyone loved Great Aunt Nellie, they do even more research to learn more about her. Meeting their new neighbour, Jason O’Callaghan, causes some confusion for Lydia as she doesn't understand how she could possibly have feelings for this man so soon after the death of her husband. Working as a cleaner and washing hair in a salon, she does hope to return to Dublin and a life she is more familiar. As she and Sunny make friends and become accepted in Sandy Cove, she realizes happiness may be a bi different than what she had been dreaming of.
I have not read the Sandy Cove series, but will be adding them to my TBR after reading this book. I loved the setting of this small community on the beautiful coast of Ireland. The Lost Girls of Ireland was a delightful read/listen. The characters were wonderful, caring and people I would love to meet. Lydia was extremely strong and resilient. She did not wallow in self-pity, like many characters would, but moved forward, accepted her life, and made the best of it with her daughter. This was definitely a story of Happily Ever After. It was predictable and things fell into place rather quickly after their arrival, as well as the death of husband/father not evoking much grief or sadness did reduce my rating, but it was an enjoyable story that had me moving quickly to the next book in the series. Jennifer Fitzgerald does a wonderful job with the narration. Using tone, expression, accents and voices she made this an enjoyable listening experience.
I have not read the Sandy Cove series, but will be adding them to my TBR after reading this book. I loved the setting of this small community on the beautiful coast of Ireland. The Lost Girls of Ireland was a delightful read/listen. The characters were wonderful, caring and people I would love to meet. Lydia was extremely strong and resilient. She did not wallow in self-pity, like many characters would, but moved forward, accepted her life, and made the best of it with her daughter. This was definitely a story of Happily Ever After. It was predictable and things fell into place rather quickly after their arrival, as well as the death of husband/father not evoking much grief or sadness did reduce my rating, but it was an enjoyable story that had me moving quickly to the next book in the series. Jennifer Fitzgerald does a wonderful job with the narration. Using tone, expression, accents and voices she made this an enjoyable listening experience.
May 30, 2025
کتاب خیلی خیلی معمولی بود. داستان پیش زمینه قشنگ و خوبی داشت ولی یهو دیگه کلا ریتم رو از دست داد. عشق بین دو تا شخصیت اصلی ذره ای قابل توجیه و باورپذیر نبود چون هیچ توضیح خاصی نبود راجب اینکه چرا اصن عاشق شدن. و در نهایت تصمیم اخر شخصیت هم به همین دلیل منطقی نبود. داستان میتونست خیلی عمیق تر و پیچیده تر پیش بره مثل نیمه اول کتاب. در مجموع میتونم بگم شروع خیلی خوب و پایان به شدت ناامید کننده ای داشت
May 17, 2021
This is the first book I have read by Susanne O'Leary. It is also the seventh book in the Sandy Cove series but can be read as a standalone, as I did.
Set in Ireland, Lydia Butler's husband suddenly passes away. Their luxurious home and flashy cars are now a figment of her imagination due to her husband's dodgy business practices that have left their finances drained. Lydia is not completely destitute as her inheritance from her Great Aunt Nellie will provide her and her daughter, Sunny a home, although they would have to move away from their grand residence in Dublin to a cottage in the small village of Kerry.
Lydia takes on jobs around the village to help pay the bills but continues to dream of returning to her glamourous life in Dublin... until she learns that her feelings of loneliness can be sorted right where she is in Sandy Cove, a place where there is a great community, and love and friendship in all quarters. A wonderfully fulfilling read with appealing characters, highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Set in Ireland, Lydia Butler's husband suddenly passes away. Their luxurious home and flashy cars are now a figment of her imagination due to her husband's dodgy business practices that have left their finances drained. Lydia is not completely destitute as her inheritance from her Great Aunt Nellie will provide her and her daughter, Sunny a home, although they would have to move away from their grand residence in Dublin to a cottage in the small village of Kerry.
Lydia takes on jobs around the village to help pay the bills but continues to dream of returning to her glamourous life in Dublin... until she learns that her feelings of loneliness can be sorted right where she is in Sandy Cove, a place where there is a great community, and love and friendship in all quarters. A wonderfully fulfilling read with appealing characters, highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
October 29, 2023
A lovely, easy read that transfers you to a picturesque coastal town in Ireland. You'll want to go there befriend the characters and adopt a simpler lifestyle. This book is full of love, forgiveness, and acceptance. This is a great escape novel, for times like this.
May 7, 2021
Whereas I fell in love with the small oceanside town, I found much of the storyline to be predictable and felt the characters and their relationships could have been developed more. With that said, it is an enjoyable story of picking yourself up after a devastating loss with a wholesome (G rated) love story thrown in as well.
Note – this is the 7th book in a series but felt like a stand alone story. I don’t feel like I was missing out on a backstory by not reading the other books in the series first but since that is a possibility I wanted to mention it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book to read and enjoy.
Note – this is the 7th book in a series but felt like a stand alone story. I don’t feel like I was missing out on a backstory by not reading the other books in the series first but since that is a possibility I wanted to mention it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book to read and enjoy.
March 25, 2022
This book should be in the teenage girl section. Terrible read. Almost didn’t finish it but kept thinking it would be better. Not.
April 22, 2024
This book felt like a palate cleanser. If you are looking for something easy to read and requires little to no analysis, then this is it. I felt as though it lacked a plot and real sustenance.
April 23, 2024
This was just not for me.
The author doesn't really give us a chance to care about any of the characters because there is so much going on but zero depth.
The author doesn't really give us a chance to care about any of the characters because there is so much going on but zero depth.
February 17, 2025
The romance was sweet, although I can't get on board with everyone agreeing that abandoning your family is what's best for them.
I understand that this was both the middle of one series and the start of another... I was a bit lost in the beginning.
I understand that this was both the middle of one series and the start of another... I was a bit lost in the beginning.
January 16, 2022
I love Ireland! I love everything about Ireland and cannot wait to go back there someday. It may seem weird to pick a book to read based on the setting. Yet, I did. Well, that and the synopsis. I was attracted to the story of a woman who’s lost everything and how she healed. I wanted to meet the residents of Wild Rose Bay.
I didn’t hate it. I didn’t love it either. It was….ok.
Lydia inherits a house from her great aunt and moves there with her daughter after her husband dies. There’s a tiny bit of a mystery surrounding the life her great aunt lived. I had hoped for more in that storyline but honestly, it wasn’t much. She simply fell in love with a German soldier whose plane crashed on the island. That was it.
We meet our main character, Lydia, whose life has been full of fundraisers, dinner parties, designer clothes, opulent restaurants and an all-around higher class of living. She finds herself penniless after finding out her recently deceased husband was involved in several illegal business deals. Forced to sell all she has, she finds out she’s inherited a house in a small village.
I really didn’t like Lydia at all. While we know she’s gone through a lot, there’s just no character growth. Her daughter solves most of their problems and what Sunny isn’t able to solve, everyone else in the village does. So, Lydia really doesn’t need to do much to adjust to this new life outside of working jobs she once thought were beneath her. She even inherits more money halfway through the story. There really isn’t a sense of struggling.
There’s a love interest which seems really out of place and suddenly, really intense at the time when Lydia isn’t even sure she’s staying at the cottage. Jason seems odd and out of place and just as two dimensional as Lydia.
I did like the setting. I love Irish cottages and have always dreamt of living in one. The seaside was atmospheric and chilly and altogether lovely. I also really liked the town and the people. I was more interested in their lives than Lydia’s.
Overall, this was ok. Not terrible. Not truly enjoyable.
I didn’t hate it. I didn’t love it either. It was….ok.
Lydia inherits a house from her great aunt and moves there with her daughter after her husband dies. There’s a tiny bit of a mystery surrounding the life her great aunt lived. I had hoped for more in that storyline but honestly, it wasn’t much. She simply fell in love with a German soldier whose plane crashed on the island. That was it.
We meet our main character, Lydia, whose life has been full of fundraisers, dinner parties, designer clothes, opulent restaurants and an all-around higher class of living. She finds herself penniless after finding out her recently deceased husband was involved in several illegal business deals. Forced to sell all she has, she finds out she’s inherited a house in a small village.
I really didn’t like Lydia at all. While we know she’s gone through a lot, there’s just no character growth. Her daughter solves most of their problems and what Sunny isn’t able to solve, everyone else in the village does. So, Lydia really doesn’t need to do much to adjust to this new life outside of working jobs she once thought were beneath her. She even inherits more money halfway through the story. There really isn’t a sense of struggling.
There’s a love interest which seems really out of place and suddenly, really intense at the time when Lydia isn’t even sure she’s staying at the cottage. Jason seems odd and out of place and just as two dimensional as Lydia.
I did like the setting. I love Irish cottages and have always dreamt of living in one. The seaside was atmospheric and chilly and altogether lovely. I also really liked the town and the people. I was more interested in their lives than Lydia’s.
Overall, this was ok. Not terrible. Not truly enjoyable.
March 11, 2025
The writing on this, while flowing decently, was simplistic and repetitive in the storyline, the dialogue was cheesy and often unnatural especially for the male characters, and I really disliked Lydia. She was naive, child-like, timid to the point of incapable most of the time, and seemed to be inept constantly. She had to have her 14 year old daughter explain everything to her, even how to do her job, which Lydia had supposedly been successful for years doing. It was bizarre. It constantly turned their relationship on its head where Sunny, the daughter, was the adult and Lydia was the child.
I get that Ireland was neutral during the war and their systems for POWs was quite bizarre, and the crashing of the plane actually happened, but every reference to the Nazi POWs by Lydia in modern times was stripped down to only that they were “German” and completely romanticized, talking about how sweet it was that her great aunt fell in love with a Nazi, or how romantic. I would understand it back in the 40’s given the nation’s stance and being so early in the war before everything came out, but in modern times? When we know the atrocities committed by their military and their ideological and moral stance that post-war are well known? It was like the giant Nazi elephant in the room that no one wanted to mention and completely ignored to make the story interesting.
On that note, Nellie’s translation work was ridiculous as well that she’d just get random mail like that with no security measures. It just all felt super imaginary and not fact checked.
The only reason I kept going on this and didn’t abandon it was I just kept thinking the absurdity of some of the things in here had to resolve themselves. But nope, they didn’t. Not a fan.
I get that Ireland was neutral during the war and their systems for POWs was quite bizarre, and the crashing of the plane actually happened, but every reference to the Nazi POWs by Lydia in modern times was stripped down to only that they were “German” and completely romanticized, talking about how sweet it was that her great aunt fell in love with a Nazi, or how romantic. I would understand it back in the 40’s given the nation’s stance and being so early in the war before everything came out, but in modern times? When we know the atrocities committed by their military and their ideological and moral stance that post-war are well known? It was like the giant Nazi elephant in the room that no one wanted to mention and completely ignored to make the story interesting.
On that note, Nellie’s translation work was ridiculous as well that she’d just get random mail like that with no security measures. It just all felt super imaginary and not fact checked.
The only reason I kept going on this and didn’t abandon it was I just kept thinking the absurdity of some of the things in here had to resolve themselves. But nope, they didn’t. Not a fan.
April 24, 2021
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Lost Girls Of Ireland' by Susanne O'Leary. This book was previously titled 'The Irish Rose'.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Susanne O'Leary , Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 5th May 2021.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It is also the seventh book in the 'Sandy Cover' series but can be read as a standalone.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. It also stated in the synopsis that this book is 'perfect for readers of Debbie Macomber, Sheila O’Flanagan and Mary Alice Monroe.'
I am a huge fan of Debbie Macomber so am looking forward to see if it lives up to this. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 29 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Ireland 🇮🇪 UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. The fact that this book is based in Ireland is even better as I have been on holiday in Ireland many times so may even recognise some places Emma has set the book around.
This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonist being Lydia Butler. The benefits of third person perspective especially with are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
OMG! OMG!! I cannot remember the last time I was so gutted to come to the end of a book!! I absolutely fell in love and it genuinely felt like I was packing my bags and being whisked away from my Irish holiday when I read the last page. Absolutely gorgeous!!!
The book is so well written with its stunning and vivid descriptions that I genuinely felt that I was standing with Lydia throughout feeling the Irish breeze in my hair and smelling the ocean. The synopsis and cover suited the storyline perfectly and I think the title change was definitely a good move as 'The Lost Girls Of Ireland' suits it perfectly. I was a bit disappointed when I first read it was being changed from 'The Irish Rose' as I thought that was such a beautiful title but after reading the book and understanding where both titles came from then this one was the best option.
Although this book is the 7th in a series it can be read as a standalone with no problems. In fact I never came across anything in the book that would make me think it was part of a series. I am however looking forward to reading all previous books and being whisked back to Ireland again. The storyline was realistic and just beautiful. It starts off in such a sad place and from the rain a rainbow was born. I loved getting to know everyone on Sandy Cove and enjoyed the atmosphere and my gorgeous surroundings. It genuinely felt like I was on holidays and after not having one for so long this was definitely the closest thing.
The characters were all solid, realistic and I loved that they all had their own unique personalities. Lydia is such a strong and determined woman who had to leave her glitzy and glamorous life and although she was mournful, as anyone would be, she picked herself and her daughter up and made the most of what they had and definitely made the right decisions. I love it when the protagonist is such a strong female lead being a woman myself it's great to see. Sunny is such a mature girl and i really liked her attitude. At her age many kids I know would have been stroppy brats but she was so mature and realistically so. She was such a pleasure to get to know. Jason, well phew, what a handsome and romantic Irish man. It wasn't just the main characters that made this book but also all the neighbours too, I really enjoyed meeting them all. I enjoyed watching Helen and Lydia's relationships grow and their bond develop. Sorcha, Saskia and Brian all stood out to me too. Emma portrayed Irish Country life perfectly and it was exactly the same when I went on holidays for a fortnight many years ago, the close knit community where everyone knew each other and was so helpful.
Susanne I fell on love with your heart warming, page turning and stunning book which took my heart away and left me gutted when my holiday ended. Welcome to my favourite author list. I have already added all your books on my wish lists and I cannot wait for my next Irish adventure!!! Please get these put on the big screen!!
Overall an absolutely stunning, heart warming romance that will have you heading off to Ireland in the blink of an eye.
Genres covered in this book include Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance and Holiday Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Debbie Macomber, Nicholas Sparks and just anyone and everyone whether you are looking to get away or for romance this is the book for you!!!
279 pages.
This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#TheLostGirlsOfIreland #Bookouture #SusanneOLeary #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@SusanneOLeary @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
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Review for 'The Lost Girls Of Ireland' by Susanne O'Leary. This book was previously titled 'The Irish Rose'.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Susanne O'Leary , Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 5th May 2021.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It is also the seventh book in the 'Sandy Cover' series but can be read as a standalone.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. It also stated in the synopsis that this book is 'perfect for readers of Debbie Macomber, Sheila O’Flanagan and Mary Alice Monroe.'
I am a huge fan of Debbie Macomber so am looking forward to see if it lives up to this. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 29 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Ireland 🇮🇪 UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. The fact that this book is based in Ireland is even better as I have been on holiday in Ireland many times so may even recognise some places Emma has set the book around.
This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonist being Lydia Butler. The benefits of third person perspective especially with are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
OMG! OMG!! I cannot remember the last time I was so gutted to come to the end of a book!! I absolutely fell in love and it genuinely felt like I was packing my bags and being whisked away from my Irish holiday when I read the last page. Absolutely gorgeous!!!
The book is so well written with its stunning and vivid descriptions that I genuinely felt that I was standing with Lydia throughout feeling the Irish breeze in my hair and smelling the ocean. The synopsis and cover suited the storyline perfectly and I think the title change was definitely a good move as 'The Lost Girls Of Ireland' suits it perfectly. I was a bit disappointed when I first read it was being changed from 'The Irish Rose' as I thought that was such a beautiful title but after reading the book and understanding where both titles came from then this one was the best option.
Although this book is the 7th in a series it can be read as a standalone with no problems. In fact I never came across anything in the book that would make me think it was part of a series. I am however looking forward to reading all previous books and being whisked back to Ireland again. The storyline was realistic and just beautiful. It starts off in such a sad place and from the rain a rainbow was born. I loved getting to know everyone on Sandy Cove and enjoyed the atmosphere and my gorgeous surroundings. It genuinely felt like I was on holidays and after not having one for so long this was definitely the closest thing.
The characters were all solid, realistic and I loved that they all had their own unique personalities. Lydia is such a strong and determined woman who had to leave her glitzy and glamorous life and although she was mournful, as anyone would be, she picked herself and her daughter up and made the most of what they had and definitely made the right decisions. I love it when the protagonist is such a strong female lead being a woman myself it's great to see. Sunny is such a mature girl and i really liked her attitude. At her age many kids I know would have been stroppy brats but she was so mature and realistically so. She was such a pleasure to get to know. Jason, well phew, what a handsome and romantic Irish man. It wasn't just the main characters that made this book but also all the neighbours too, I really enjoyed meeting them all. I enjoyed watching Helen and Lydia's relationships grow and their bond develop. Sorcha, Saskia and Brian all stood out to me too. Emma portrayed Irish Country life perfectly and it was exactly the same when I went on holidays for a fortnight many years ago, the close knit community where everyone knew each other and was so helpful.
Susanne I fell on love with your heart warming, page turning and stunning book which took my heart away and left me gutted when my holiday ended. Welcome to my favourite author list. I have already added all your books on my wish lists and I cannot wait for my next Irish adventure!!! Please get these put on the big screen!!
Overall an absolutely stunning, heart warming romance that will have you heading off to Ireland in the blink of an eye.
Genres covered in this book include Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance and Holiday Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Debbie Macomber, Nicholas Sparks and just anyone and everyone whether you are looking to get away or for romance this is the book for you!!!
279 pages.
This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#TheLostGirlsOfIreland #Bookouture #SusanneOLeary #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@SusanneOLeary @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
March 10, 2023
This book is nothing more than a Hallmark movie. No plot. No character development. I read this book for a neighborhood book club and couldn't wait for it to be over. Very predictable story line. The story centered around the main character, Lydia and her daughter. Lydia, who has just lost her husband and also finds out that he has been involved in fraudulent activity before his sudden death. I was hoping this would be a story about a woman who finds her strength through adversity. But, no, every problem she has someone else ends up helping her, mostly her daughter, and she even finds out towards the end of book, that she has inherited more money. And, of course, she has to fall in love with a handsome man in the end. The story is so sugary sweet, I can't take it. Everything ends up perfect in the end, all loose ends are tied up in a perfect bow.
I read to learn and hear stories about real life. This book offered none of that. I should have just turned on the Hallmark channel. 5 hours of reading that I will never get back. Don't bother.
I read to learn and hear stories about real life. This book offered none of that. I should have just turned on the Hallmark channel. 5 hours of reading that I will never get back. Don't bother.
August 5, 2024
This book is poorly written, the main characters are utterly shallow and emotionally inconsistent, and the dialogue is clunky and unnatural. I completed it, hoping the characters' shallowness would resolve and it did not. The use of Lydia's aunt's story felt like a stretch to keep the reader and to support Lydia's emotional reasoning. The most solid parts of the book involved the secondary characters, who the reader gets very limited interaction with. An unnecessary amount of the book is spent in Lydia's thoughts, which is highly unfortunate because she is an undeveloped character, especially as a main character.
This book would have potential if the story about Lydia's aunt was removed and more focus was given to the development of the three main characters and their growth in Sandy Cove, somewhat similar to the theme of Pride and Prejudice. However, as it is, it was not an enjoyable read.
I genuinely do not understand how this book has an overall high rating. I do not recommend it.
This book would have potential if the story about Lydia's aunt was removed and more focus was given to the development of the three main characters and their growth in Sandy Cove, somewhat similar to the theme of Pride and Prejudice. However, as it is, it was not an enjoyable read.
I genuinely do not understand how this book has an overall high rating. I do not recommend it.
April 21, 2021
This is the first book from Bookouture that I didn't give 4 ore more stars. I would have really wanted to like this book more, but I didn't.
It started with a very good premise and a Maeve Binchy sort of vibe, but the story doesn't deliver, it's a bit flat and boring.
Also I couldn't connect with Lydia's character, it feels like she is transported through her life by chances, not real decisions. It's almost as it's her daughter Sunny that takes care of her.
The small village of Sandy Cove and the descriptions of Ireland in general are lovely, made me feel I was really there.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It started with a very good premise and a Maeve Binchy sort of vibe, but the story doesn't deliver, it's a bit flat and boring.
Also I couldn't connect with Lydia's character, it feels like she is transported through her life by chances, not real decisions. It's almost as it's her daughter Sunny that takes care of her.
The small village of Sandy Cove and the descriptions of Ireland in general are lovely, made me feel I was really there.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2021
Lydias opulent life is completely upended due to her husbands death and business dealings. I had hopes that this character would grow and become more self sufficient and less materialistic, but she didn’t. She ends up immediately being drawn to a man and the moment she has a windfall she basically over remodels her free cottage when she should’ve just updated the heating system and used the rest to put her daughter, Sunny, through college. I found that Lydia remained needy, superficial and predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2022
Too predictable. Caherciveen is a fairly large town by Kerry standards so why is the school considered to be a country school? Who are the lost girls? Having lived in Kerry for many years, the people are friendly but nowhere near as friendly and sociable as this book suggests - they don't have the time.
January 7, 2022
I did enjoy this book. It was an easy and untaxing read. But that was also the problem with it. I found myself skimming rather than diving into the pages. First, it's a predictable story line; there were very few passages that made me linger and think. I read it on my Kindle so I could see the passages that were frequently underlined by previous readers. And yes, the underlined sections were definitely the quotables but only because they were less pale than the rest of the text. What I mean to say is that this author slips into breaking the first rule of good story telling (this is strictly my own opinion, so feel free to have a different first rule!) and that is the author should, "Show me, not tell me." I find that when authors use the Tell Me mode, they also become prone to worn out cliches and tired "first, then, next" kinds of sentences that my 2nd grade writers indulge in to tell their stories! It's a good organizing strategy but it doesn't make the writing sing. Instead, I become a lazy reader because all the heavy work and imagination is done for me. I don't like that!
The second problem is that O'Leary needs a different plot trope to fill the pages rather than a steady repeating of earlier details because I might just need to be brought up to speed every couple of pages. The number of times I stopped to ask, "Didn't I just read that?" became annoying - but problem solved because that was when I started to skim without losing the plot.
So why did I continue reading it when it seems like I didn't like it very much? Because actually, the story is really quite good. Of course there's a tall, dark and mysterious stranger to provide the romantic interest, but O'Leary kits him out with some really interesting characteristics that kept me engaged. There's a subplot about an old aunt and her legacy that I would have liked to have seen further developed but which is still used to good effect to tie the story together. And, O'Leary caught the Southwest Coast of Ireland vibe with its brilliant sunshine and lashing rain; its' shyness to strangers and warm embrace to one of their own come home to find him or her self. And I liked the heroine. She's a bit like weak tea that could have left to stew a bit longer, but she is a fighter and uses her initiative to turn her life around. I respect that.
O'Leary writes in the tradition of light romances and so if that's what by you like, then this is for you. But I am a reader who finds that too many escape stories is like eating a steady diet of cakes and candies - too sweet for my taste. But, on a snowy winter's day stuck at home, it was a comfy, cosy story in which to wait out the storm, with a pot of tea and biscuits and a blazing fire. And who knows, on the next storm I might find myself reading book 2 in this series. After all there isn't any harm in eating a slice of cake every once in a while as a treat.
The second problem is that O'Leary needs a different plot trope to fill the pages rather than a steady repeating of earlier details because I might just need to be brought up to speed every couple of pages. The number of times I stopped to ask, "Didn't I just read that?" became annoying - but problem solved because that was when I started to skim without losing the plot.
So why did I continue reading it when it seems like I didn't like it very much? Because actually, the story is really quite good. Of course there's a tall, dark and mysterious stranger to provide the romantic interest, but O'Leary kits him out with some really interesting characteristics that kept me engaged. There's a subplot about an old aunt and her legacy that I would have liked to have seen further developed but which is still used to good effect to tie the story together. And, O'Leary caught the Southwest Coast of Ireland vibe with its brilliant sunshine and lashing rain; its' shyness to strangers and warm embrace to one of their own come home to find him or her self. And I liked the heroine. She's a bit like weak tea that could have left to stew a bit longer, but she is a fighter and uses her initiative to turn her life around. I respect that.
O'Leary writes in the tradition of light romances and so if that's what by you like, then this is for you. But I am a reader who finds that too many escape stories is like eating a steady diet of cakes and candies - too sweet for my taste. But, on a snowy winter's day stuck at home, it was a comfy, cosy story in which to wait out the storm, with a pot of tea and biscuits and a blazing fire. And who knows, on the next storm I might find myself reading book 2 in this series. After all there isn't any harm in eating a slice of cake every once in a while as a treat.
April 25, 2021
Lydia’s Butler’s life has been turned upside down in a heartbeat – quite literally. When her husband suffers a massive heart attack and dies, Lydia finds out secrets about him which forces her, and their daughter Sunny to leave their wealthy, luxurious Dublin lifestyle, selling their house and most of their possessions and moving to Sandy Cove, in Kerry on the west coast of Ireland.
Wild Rose Bay is the last place Lydia Butler thought she’d be, but seeking solace in the run-down cottage she inherited from her Great Aunt Nellie, she tries to protect her daughter from the gossip of Dublin and adapt to a different lifestyle, but can she escape the web of deceit and re-build their lives on a shoestring?
This book was perfect for me – it was like slipping my feet into handmade shoes – the fit was spot on, and I don’t know how I haven’t read any of Susanne O’Leary’s books before. Although this book is just one of the Sandy Cove series, I really didn’t feel that I missed any of the story by not reading the others, it is a standalone book but I shall now be going back to the beginning and reading them all.
I absolutely loved Lydia as a character, even though she didn’t realise how strong and resilient she was and Sunny was the perfect daughter, supporting her mum when she needed it - they made a great little team together, fighting grief and rumours but coming out smiling together.
For me though, the absolute best bit of the book was the visit to Garnish Island – my family are all from Bantry and Glengariff, although I’m a townie from London, and so reading about my parents home-town made me feel closer to all my relatives, especially in a time when I can’t travel to see them, so it was a really lovely surprise for it to pop up on the pages of the book.
In a time where we are all stuck at home, this book was so descriptive and the writing was spot on that it made me feel the wind in my hair, and I could even smell the salt from the Wild Atlantic sea without leaving my living room.
Thank you Susanne for such a wonderfully, brilliant story.
March 17, 2024
This is a cute and cozy story of a widow who retreats to a small cottage by the sea, inherited from a great aunt she met only once. When Lydia discovers that the death of her husband involves scandal she had no part in, she escapes the Dublin scene to preserve herself and to protect her teen daughter from the publicity she knows is coming.
As her heart heals, Lydia finds new strength both within and outside of the house, giving her courage to make real friends, work at something that makes her happy, and eventually find love again. There's nothing spectacularly exciting about the book: it's quiet and sweet and peaceful. While there are a couple arguments with her teen, the relationship over all is loving and not drama-inducing, there are some minor conflicts with people as they get to know her and she the same with them. And while I'm not fully convinced on the chemistry between her and the new man in her life (Jason), it's still sweet to read and nice to have a romance that is eased into instead of insta-sex leading to love at some point later.
After some dark and heavy reads of late, this was a nice change of pace. I'd be glad to revisit Sandy Cove on a future occasion.
As her heart heals, Lydia finds new strength both within and outside of the house, giving her courage to make real friends, work at something that makes her happy, and eventually find love again. There's nothing spectacularly exciting about the book: it's quiet and sweet and peaceful. While there are a couple arguments with her teen, the relationship over all is loving and not drama-inducing, there are some minor conflicts with people as they get to know her and she the same with them. And while I'm not fully convinced on the chemistry between her and the new man in her life (Jason), it's still sweet to read and nice to have a romance that is eased into instead of insta-sex leading to love at some point later.
After some dark and heavy reads of late, this was a nice change of pace. I'd be glad to revisit Sandy Cove on a future occasion.
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